Spence's brace hands Highmoor Ibis victory

Striker nets twice to finish pre-season on a high

Two goals from Ray Spence saw Highmoor Ibis edge out Finchampstead 2-1 at the Rivers Ibis Health Club on Saturday.

The attacker netted what proved to be the winner midway through the second half, cutting inside from the left before sending a low shot from just inside the box past Tom Bryant in the Finch goal.

Centre-half Luke Axton-Hall was earlier on target for the visitors, but the goal would prove to be in vain for Jon Laugharne’s men, who ended their close season programme away at Thames Valley League outfit Cookham Dean last night.

Woodley Town completed their pre-season with a confident 5-1 victory over Berks County FC on Saturday.

Seun Odusanya netted two late goals after coming on as a substitute to add to earlier goals from Michael Alleyne, Steven Campbell and Timon Douglin in a game that saw Adam Cashin-Murray feature as an influential figure.

Cashin-Murray had the first chance of the game, calling Berks keeper Dan Smith into action after just two minutes.

And Woodley were rewarded for their positive start after 10 minutes, as Alleyne drilled home Lemar Maycock’s cross.

Seven minutes later it was 2-0; Campbell beating the keeper with a strike from 18 yards.

Woodley went into the break with a two-goal cushion.

Not long into the second period and a mistake – after a lacklustre start to the half – saw Berks capitalise from a badly dealt with cross to make it 2-1.

Despite a difficult spell before the hour mark, Douglin rose to score a header and restore Woodley’s two-goal lead in the 63rd minute.

After the third goal, the home side came alive.

A late flurry of chances saw Odusanya curl a shot into the far right corner from the edge of the box to make it four.

A confident finish provided Woodley with their final and best goal of the game.

It was Odusanya again, finishing off a flowing move.

Woodley have now finished their preparations for the new Hellenic League season, which begins on Saturday, away to Penn & Tylers Green in Division One East.

Elsewhere, Reading Town host Highworth Town in the Premier Division and Highmoor Ibis travel to Thame United.